Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-21
WORK BEFORE CONGRESS
THE CAUCUS PROGRAMME FOR
The SENATE.

Changes in the Power of the Respective
Chairmcn but Not Apt to Be Made
How the Selected Measures of General
Legislation Will Probably Come Up.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.--The probable
course of legislation by the Senate for
the coming week, and, In fact, for
the remainder Of the session, may best be
Judged by reference to the arrangement
agreed upon by the caucus committees OF
both sides and ratified by the two
caucuses of last week. This arrange
ment is subject to change by an agrees
ment between Senators Harris and Sher-
man, chairmen respectively OF the caucus
committees, who are authorized to confer
and amend the order of business, but in
asmuch as it has been considered with Z
stantially as it now stands. ~
THE PROGRAMME.
1t contemplates rigid devotion of the
morning hours. until 2 O'Clock OF each
day, to consideration OF miscellaneous
minor matters upon the calendar which
are not otherwise provided for and wflsh
do not promise to give rise to extended
debate. In carrying out this part of the
programme, bills which have passed the
House and have been reported favorably
from the Senate committees will have
precedence. After 2 O'Clock appropria-
tion bills will have sway 80 long as any
remain upon the calendar.
THE ONLY INTERRUPTIONS.
So far the arrangement is liable to in.
terruption only by the presentation OF
ana action upon conference reports,
which are always In order, and by pension
bills, general and special, which, though
possessing no inherent rights, are by pre-
cedence by both sides to be accorded
special privileges when circumstances
permit. Tne remaining time of the daily
sessions Is to be devoted TO selected
measures of general Legislation, SUBJ
Nicaragua canal bill, the resolution for
an investigation OF the Pacific railroad
accounts, the bill creating Department
OF agriculture, the bill for the
relief of depositors in the Freed
mans bank, the pleurO pneumonia
Committee on Agriculture in time), the
arbitration (labor) bill, any land graus
forfeiture bills, the bill to prohibit the
use of the mails to newspapers publish
ing lottery advertisements, the Des
Moines land grant bill, the bill author
izing suits to be brought in certain cases
against the United States, bills tossettld
private land claims In certain States, for
the return OF moneys expended in the
war of 1872, the bill to establish an inter.
national copyright system, and the bill to
quiet certain land titles. It is not deemed
probable that the remaining time OF the
session will be sufficient to complete the
entire list.
IN THE HOUSE.
The most important measure to be acted
upon In the House tomorrow, II the rou-
tine is. adhered to, will be the Springer
bill providing for the reference of all pri-
vate claims TO the Court OF Claims tor
adjudication. The Committee on War
Claims will endeavUr to pass this bill un-
der a suspension of the rules. The Sen.
ate amendment to the sundry civil appro-
priation bill will occupy the attent u of
the House until 3 o'clock, when eulogies
upon the late Senator Pike will be in
order.
Wednesday the fisheries retaIiatqSs
bills will be called up, and lively -
bate is expected. The Presidents veto OF
the dependent relatives pension bill IS
set fer consideration on Thursday. The
remainder OF the week will undoubtedly
be devoted to consideration OF appropria.
ton bills and conference reports.